Tables foldable into suitcase-like form



- 1958 1, A. PAIGE TABLES FOLDABLE INTO SUITCASE-LIKE FORM 4Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS [5a ac A azye BY m 6M,

Azfiior eys Filed Aug. 6, 1956 Dec. 2, 1958 Filed Aug. 6, 1956 l. A.PAIGE TABLES FOLDABLE INTO SUITCASE-LIKE FORM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORFIsaac A. ai e,

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Dec. 2, 1958 PAIGE 2,862,777

TABLES FOLDABLE INTO SUITCASE-LIKE FORM Filed Aug. 6, 1956 4Sheets-Sheet s v l 1 I V m FIG, 1 59W,

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Dec. 2, 1958 A. PAIGE M 2,862,777

TABLES F OLDABLE. INTO SUITCASE-LIKE FORM Filed Aug. 6, 1956 v 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR5 Isaac A. Pazge "Mfim, Edam/Z 44444 ditor e352,862,777 TABLES FoLnAaLE IN'ro 'SUllTCASE-LIKE FORM I Isaac A. Paige,Chicago, Ill. Application August 6, 1956, Serial No. 602,271 14 Claims.(Cl. 311- 90 This invention relates generally to foldable tables, andmore particularly to those adapted to be readily carried or stored in aminimum of space when folded.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a table of relativelylarge area and sturdy construction which can be quickly and easilyfolded. into a suitcase-like form having approximately one fourth thearea of the table when it is in fully extended position of use, andhaving a thickness only twice as great as the depth of the marginalflanges depending from the table top.

Another important object of theinvention is the provision in such afoldabletable of a supporting leg structure which may readily beretracted to a storage position wholly within the enclosure defined bythe suitcase-like form assumed by the table when folded, and which maybe quickly extended tosupport the table a standard distance from theground or other supporting surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means forreleasably locking the legs of such a leg structure in extendedposition.

Another object is to make a four part table top with each half thereofsubstantially the same as the other and hingedly interconnectedtherewith, and with each half comprising two of such partstelescopically interconnected for relative translational movement in thedirection of the axis of the hinge connection between the halves, sothat sliding of the telescopic parts together will reduce the table toparea by approximately one half, and folding of the hinged halvestogether will superpose one of them over the other to further reduce byone half the table top area.

A further object is to provide novel means for locking such relativelymovable parts in either extended or folded position.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses apreferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a table embodying the features of the instant inventionin fully extended position of use;

Figure 2 shows the tableof Fig. 1 in folded or closed, storage ortraveling position in full lines, and in dot-dash lines the two halvesof the top are illustrated as in a retracted coplanar position;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan-view of the table with the-two halves of the topin fully extended coplanar or tandem position and the legs in-retractedfolded position;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view similar to Fig. 3 showing the two halves ofthe top in a retracted coplanarposition and the legs of each half orsection-crossed;

Fig. 5 is a side elevationaliview ofone of thelegs in retracted andfoldedposition, with the central portion thereof in section, and the legshown swungtovertical osition in dotted lines;

Figs. .6, 7, and 8 are detail-vertical sections takensub- 'nited StatesPatent stantially on the lines 66, 77, and 8-8, respectively, of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a detail horizontal section through the side walls of thetable to illustrate the latch shown in Fig. 6 for retaining the sectionsof the table in either of their positions of Figs. 3 or 4; v

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a table in its folded position of Fig. 2,with the top panels of the upper'section partially broken away toillustrate the position therein of the legs;

Fig. 11 is a detail vertical section of an end portion of a leg inretracted position to show the spring latch employed for retaining theend leg section in either extended or retracted position;

Fig. 12 is a detail vertical section taken substantially on line 12ll2of Fig. 4 showing a means for strengthening the inner end of thenarrower top panel;

Fig. 13 is a detail elevational view, with parts broken away, of one ofthe legs swung to an inverted vertical position and with its end sectionretracted, as it would be seen in its broken line position of Fig. 5from the left side of the latter;

Fig. 14 is an elevational view, as seen from the right side of Fig. 13,and illustrating in broken lines the end leg section extended;

Fig. 15 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken substantially online 1515 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a detail horizontal section taken through a corner of thetable and from the position of the line 116 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a detail elevational view of a modified hinge and latchconstruction in open or extended position as seen from the outside ofthe table and with the table shown in dot-dash lines;

Fig. 18 is a detail vertical section similar to Fig. 8 showing the hingeand latch mechanism of Fig. 17 as seen from the rear of the latter;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 17 showing the hinge in foldedposition;

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Figs. 17 and 19 showing the hinge in apartially closed position; and

Figs. 21 and 22 are detail horizontal sections taken substantially onthe lines 2121 and 2222, respectively, of Fig. 17.

As best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the present invention comprisesa table having a top 25 which is foldable from a fully extendedposition, Figs. 1 and 3, into the small compact arrangement illustratedin Fig. 2. Supporting legs are mounted on this top 25 and are alsofoldable from an extended table supporting position, as shown in Fig. 1,to a retracted position (Fig. 3), so that the top subsequently may befolded into its position of Fig. 2. The top 25 comprises a pair ofsimilar halves or sections 26 and 26a hinged together for relativepivotal movement from an extended coplanar position, as shown in Figs.1, 3 and 4,.to a folded or superposed and closed position, as shown inFig. 2. The top section 26 comprises a pair of subsections 27 and 28,and the top section 26a comprises a pair of subsections 27a and 28a. Thesubsections '27 and 27a are telescopically slidable relative to thesubsections 28 and 28a for movement from an extended tandem position, asshown in Fig. 3, to a retracted open position, as shown in Fig. 4 of thedrawings. Each subsection is generally rectangular in shape, and thesubsections 23 and 28a are slightly wider than the subsections 27 and27a to permit such telescopic movement. The subsection 27 comprises arectangularly shaped top panel or plate 29 having downwardly extend ingside guide flanges 31 at opposite sides and an end flange 32 extendingdownwardly from one end thereof. T hesubsection 28 comprises arectangularly shaped top .section 27, having a rectangularly shaped toppanel 29a and similarly positioned side guide flanges 31a and an endflange 32a. The subsection 28:: is constructed similarly to thesubsection 2%, having a rectangularly shaped top panel 33a, side guideflanges 34a and an end flange 35a.

The top panel 33 isslightIy wider than the top panel 29 so that theguide flanges 31 and the top panel are slid able within the top panel 33and the side flanges 34.

Similarly, the top panel 33a is wider than the top panel 2%, so that theside flanges 31a and the top panel 2% are slidable within the top panel33a and the side flanges 34a, as viewed in Fig. 3.

Openings in the outer ends of the inner side 31a, 34 and 34a areprovided for placement c. hinge means (to be describedlater) secured tothe end flanges 32, 32a, 35 and These hinge means provide for relativepivotal movement between the top sections 26 and 25a from a retractedopen position, as shown in Fig. 4, to the folded or closed position ofFig. 2. For the purpose of strengthening each part of the table andpreventing bending thereof, each of the end flanges 32, 32a, 35, and35a, have their lower edges reversely bent horizontally. This is bestillustrated in Fig. 12 wherein the outer end flange 35a of subsection28:: is shown on an enlarged scale. The inner end of the top panels 29and 29a of the narrower subsections 27 and 27a also may be flangeddownwardly and provided with suitable strengthening bars 35 securedthereto in any desired manner, as by welding, one of which is bestillustrated in detail in Fig. 12. It is to be understood, of course,that any other suitable manner of strengthening the top panels may beemployed. The inner ends of the wider top panels 33 33a, asbestillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, are not flanged so as to present thesmoothest possible top surface when the table is in its fully extendedposition of use of Fig. 1. Also for strengthening purposes and tomaintain the slidable panels in interfltting, telescopically disposedarrangement, it is preferred that the lower edges of the side guideflanges 31, 31a, 34, and 34a be bent inwardly slightly more than 90degrees, as best illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. To further strengthen thetable structure and to assist in preventing buckling of the table topwhen disposed in its fully open position of use, it may be founddesirable to use one or more retaining clips similar to that bestillustrated in Fig. 7. In that figure, the clip is designated byreference numeral 37, is substantially lJ-shaped in cross section, ofslightly greater interior width than the combined thicknesses of theassociated side guide flanges, and is secured to one of them, as bywelding, and slidably engages the other. In Fig. 7, the lower leg of theclip 37 as therein illustrated is secured to the inner surface of theinturned end of side guide flange 31 and the upper leg in that figure(which is actually the lower leg of the clip since the parts are shownin inverted position in Fig. 7) slidably engages the outer surface ofthe inturned end flange of the associated side flange 3 As previouslynoted, openings are provided in the outer ends of the inner side flanges31, 31a, 34, 34a (Figs. 3 and 4) to provide clearance for hinge meanssecured to the end flanges 32 and 32a and 35 and 35a. Two such hingemeans are provided, one at each end of the table, and one of these isillustrated in detail in Fig. 8. As shown therein, this hinge meanscomprises an inner hinge plate 38 secured in any suitable manner to thechannel formed by the outer end flange 32 and the associated top panel29. A locking slide 39 having a reduced inner end and an outer end withan inwardly directed flange or handle portion 41 is slidably mounted onthe inner surface of the inner hinge plate 38 and retained thereon by asuitable bracket 42 which cooperates with the handle portion 41 of theslide 39 to limit inward movement of slide toward the center of thetable. Outward sliding movement of the slide 39 is limited by a suitablespring clip 43 mounted on the outer end of the hinge plate 38. A fillerplate 44 of substantially the same thickness as the inner hinge plate 38is disposed against the inner vertical surface of the associated outerend flange 32a within the channel formed by the latter and its top panel2%, and is secured thereto in any suitable manner, together with anouter hinge plate 45. The inner ends of the two hinge plates 38 and 45overlap each other, and the same are pivotally secured together at theirlower corners (at the top of Fig. 8) by a suitable hinge pin or rivet46. The inner end of the outer hinge plate 45 is recessed at 47 toreceive the reduced inner end of the locking slide 39 when the table isopened into a coplanar position, as illustrated in Fig. 8 in full lines.When it is desired to swing the two halves of the table into or towardclosed position, as illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 8, the lockingslide 39 is first moved to its broken line position of that figure, bymeans of its handle portion 41, into engagement with the spring clip 43to remove its reduced inner end from engagement with the recess 47. Whenthe parts are returned to their full line positions of Fig. 8, it willbe seen that the slide 39 cooperates with the outer hinge plate 45 tolock the extended halves of the table against pivotal movement relativeto each other.

Locking or retaining means also are provided for releasably maintainingthe two sections of the table top in their fully extended coplanar ortandem positions of Figs. 1 and 3 or in their retracted coplanarpositions of Fig. 4.

This locking means comprises one or more spring latches mounted upon theinner surface of either or both of the outer side guide flanges 31, 31a,and cooperating with suitable apertures provided in the associated outerside flanges 34, 34a. As shown in Figs 6 and 9, such a latch comprises aleaf spring member 48 secured at one end in any suitable manner, as bywelding, to the inner surface of the outer side flange 31a. Secured toand extending through a suitable aperture in the other or free end ofthe leaf spring 48 is a stud 49. This stud 49 is slidably disposed inand extends through a suitable aperture 51 in the side flange 3111. Itis also adapted to extend into and cooperate with one or the other of apair of apertures 52 provided in the outer side flange 34a. Each suchaperture 52 is disposed in such a location that one of them willcooperate with the stud 49 when the table halves are in their fullyextended positions of Figs. 1 and 3, and the other one will cooperatetherewith when the halves have been moved to their retracted coplanarposition of Fig. 4. In order to effect relative sliding or telescopicmovement of these halves or sections of the table top, it is firstnecessary to displace the leaf spring latch. 48 inwardly as by pressureof a thumb or finger against the outer end of the stud 49 to its brokenline position of Fig. 9, which clears the stud 49 from the associatedaperture 52 and permits relative movement between the side flanges 31aand 34a. As the two sections of the table top thereafter are movedrelative to each other, the spring latch-'48 will force the stud 49outwardly position as will later be more fully described, the specificconstruction of only one such leg means or assemblage now will bedetailed. A mounting plate 53 is disposed in the outer corner of each ofthe subsections or parts of the table top and secured thereto in anysuitable manner, as best illustrated in Fig. 16, for the dual purpose ofmounting the associated leg assembly and strengthening the cornerportion of each subsection. This mounting plate 53 may be provided withdownwardly extending flanges spaced from each other to provide trunnionmeans or, as shown in Figs. 13, .14, and 16, the desired trunnion meansmay be provided by a separate member. comprising a U-shaped bracket 54having parallel legs;55 with rounded corners comprising cam surfaces andterminating at its upper end (the bottom of Figs. 5, l3, and 14) inoutwardly extending or horizontal flanges. 56 which may be welded orotherwise suitably secured to the mounting plate 53 (Fig. 16).Therefore, as above noted, these members 53 and 5456 may be formed asone integral member.

As best'seen in Fig. 13, a horizontal shaft 57 extends through and issupported by the legs 55 of the bracket 54. Each leg assembly alsocomprises a base leg section 58 and an end leg section 59, which, forthe major portion of their length, have similar cross sectional shapes(Fig. 15), with the end leg section 59 being somewhat smaller than thebase leg section 58 and slidable telescopically therein. The upper endof the .base leg member 58 (shown at the bottom in Figs. 13 and 14) isU-shaped in horizontal cross section to fit slidably between theparallel legs 55 of the bracket 54, and is pivotally mounted at itsupper end on the shaft 57. A spring urged latch-is slidably mountedbetween the legs of this U-shaped portion of the base leg section 58which, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a slide 61 thatis offsetat its upper end toward the open side of the leg and terminates inlaterally extending flanges 62. Secured to the slide 61 is a fingerpiece 63 having an outwardly turned end portion that extends through asuitable slot 64 (Fig. 5) in the base wall of the upper end portion ofthe base leg section 58. Extending through a similar and adjacent slot65 is a rivet 66 or shouldered stud which secures the slide 61 and itsfinger piece 63 together and retains them in the base leg section 58'forvertical sliding movement relative thereto. The end of the slide 61comprising the flanges 62 is secured to one end of a suitable spring 67,the other end of which is mounted upon the shaft 57. This spring 67resiliently maintains the flanges 62 in engagement with the edgesurfaces of the legs 55 of the bracket 54. These legs 55, as best seenin Figs. 5 and 14, are provided with vertical apertures or slots 68 toreceive the flanges 62, when the leg is swung into its verticalposition, for the purpose of maintaining the leg locked in thatposition. When it is desired to release this locking means comprisingthe slide 61, it is necessary only to engage the finger piece 63 fromthe exterior of the leg and to move the same and the slide 61 downwardly(upwardly in Figs. 13 and 14) against the action of the spring 67 toremove the flanges 62 from the slot 68,

which will permit pivotal swinging of the leg from its vertical positionto a horizontal or retracted position, as illustrated in full lines inFig. Sand shown in Figs. 3 and 4. When the leg is swung from the latterhorizontal position to a vertical position, as shown in dotted lines inFig. 5, it will be seen from that figure that the flanges 62. will ridethe curved or cam surfaces of the legs 55 of the bracket 54 and bepulled into the slot 68 by the spring 67 automatically when the legreaches its vertical position to lock the same therein.

As previously noted, he end leg section 59 is telescopically andslidably disposed within the base leg section 58, and means are providedfor releasably locking these two leg sections against relative movementeither in their retracted or'extended positions. The locking means forperforming this function as herein illustrated are shown in Figs. 5 and11, and comprise a leaf spring clip 69 riveted or otherwise suitablysecured at its lower end (at the left end of these figures) to theouter'or lower end of the base legsection 58. At its other or upper end,7

the spring .69 is provided with an inwardly extending stud 71 slidablydisposed in a suitable aperture through the wall of the base leg section58 and adapted to engage either one of two suitable disposed aperturesin the end leg section 59. One of the latter apertures is disclosed inFig; 11 as being engaged by the stud .71 when the end ,leg section 59 isin its fully retracted position, and the 6 other such aperture is solocated in the wall of the end leg section 59 as to be engaged by thestud 71 when the legs are in their fully extended position, as shown inbroken lines in Fig. 14 and in full lines in Fig. 1.

For convenience in describing the angular position of the four legs wheneach is in its fully retracted and folded position as in Fig. 3, thatmounted upon the subsections 27, 28, 27a, and 28a are designated,respectively, by numerals 58:1,.58b, 58c, and 58d. In order to preventjamming ofthe-end portions of these legs against each other as thesubsections are telescoped into each other from their fully extendedtandem position of Fig. 3 to their retracted coplanar position of Fig.4, these several legs are not disposed uniformly at 45 degree angles tothe edge and end flanges of the table top. Rather, as best seen in Fig.3, the leg 58a is angularly disposed relative to the outer end flange 32at 40 degrees, and the leg 58b is positioned to define an angle of 50degrees with the outer end flange 35. In the section 26a, the leg 58cdefines an angle of 50 degrees with the outer. end flange 32a, and theleg 56d defines an angle of 40 degrees with -the outer end of flange35a. Whenthe several legs are .the sloping arrangement of the outer sidesurfaces of each base leg section 58, such contact of the outer ends ofthe legs 58b and 580 with the side surfaces, respectively,

' of the legs 58a and 5812 will result in the legs 58b and 580beingcammed away from the lower surface of the table top, and they willassume their positions of Fig. 4 when the subsections have been slidinto fully retracted positions. The dimensioning of the several legsrelative to the side flanges of the table top is such that, when theretracted sections 26 and 26a are swung pivotally from their openposition of Fig. 4'to their fully closed position of Fig. 10, theseveral legs will assume the positions illustrated in the latter figureand the table top will provide a suitcase-like enclosure of suiflcientthickness or depth to accommodate them in that position.

A modified type of hinge construction is illustrated in Figs. 17 through22 which performs the same function as that of Fig. 8 and is mountedsimilarly thereto, but in which locking of the two hinge sections intheir fully open position is accomplished automatically. As in the caseof the hinge plates 33 and 45 ofthe modification of Fig. 8, thatillustrated in Fig. 18 comprises two hinge plates '72 and 73 which aresecured, respectively, in any suitable manner, as by means of riveting,to the adjacent outer end flanges 32 and 32a of the table top. At theirlower inner corners (at the top in Figs. 17, 18, and 20) these hingeplates are provided with laterally offset portions 74 (Fig. 21) whichare suitablyv apertured to receive a rivet-like, hinge pin 75. At theopposite side from the hinge pin 75, the hinge plate 73 is provided withtwo inwardly offset or struck-cut portions 76 and 77, the former beingdisposed adjacent the longitudinal center of the hinge plate andproviding a seat upon which is riveted the inner end of a leaf spring 78(Fig. 22). The outer end of this leaf spring 7% carries an outwardlyextending locking corner extension having a somewhat curved outer end 77 84 (Fig. 22) and an aperture 85 adapted to receive the locking stud79.

When the table sections are swung to their open or coplanar position,they will be locked therein as illustrated in Figs. 17, 18, and 22, byengagement of the stud 79 in the aperture 75. In order to move themthrough their position of Fig. 20 and to their closed position of Fig.19, it is first necessary to remove the locking stud 79 from theaperture 85, and this may be done by a simple inward pressure againstthe finger stud 82. It will be readily apparent that swinging of thetable sections from their closed positions to their fully openedpositions will cause the curved end portion 84 of the hinge plate 72 tocam against the rounded outer end of the locking stud 79 to bend thespring latch 78 inwardly and that, when the parts reach their fullyopened position of Figs. 17, 18, and 22, the leaf spring 78 willautomatically engage the locking stud 79 in the aperture 85.

As best seen in Fig. 2, means are provided to facilitate carrying of thetable when folded which, in the present embodiment are in the form of ahandle 86. Suitable means also are employed to releasably maintain thetwo halves in carrying or folded position, such as the latch 87 shown inFig. 2.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the forms, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and the scopeof the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, theforms hereinbefore described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

I claim:

1. A foldable table having a top comprising a pair of top sectionshingedly connected to each other for pivotal movement from a retractedcoplanar position to a folded position, and each of said top sectionscomprising a pair of subsections telescopically connected to each otherfor sliding movement from an extended tandem position to said retractedposition. I

2. A foldable table having a top comprising a pair of top sectionshinged together for relative pivotal movement about an axis disposedcentrally of the .table when said sections are in an extended coplanarposition, and each of said top sections comprising a pair of subsectionsslidably connected to each other for relative movement in the directionof said axis from an extended tandem position to a retracted position.

3. A foldable table having a top comprising a pair of top sectionshinged together for relative pivotal movement about an axis disposedcentrally of the table when said sections are in an extended coplanarposition, each of said top sections comprising a pair of subsectionsslidably connected to each other for relative translational movement inthe direction of said axis from an extended tandem position to aretracted open position, and a leg pivotally mounted on each of saidsubsections for movement from a supporting position transverse to theplane of the subsection to a retracted position approximately parallelto the plane of the subsection.

4. A foldable table as set forth in claim 3, having loclo ing meansmounted on said top sections for releasably locking the same in saidextended coplanar position.

5. A foldable table having a top comprising a pair of top sectionshinged together for relative pivotal movement about an axis disposedcentrally of the table when said sections are in an extended coplanarposition, each of said top sections comprising a pair of rectangularlyshaped subsections each having a rectangularly shaped top panel with twoside guide flanges extending vertically therefrom, an end flangeextending vertically from each said top panel at one end thereof, one ofeach said pair of subsections being slightly wider than the other of thesaid pair of subsections for slidably en aging the latter to provide forrelative telescopic movement thereof in the direction of said axisbetween an extended tandem position and a retracted open position,whereby said top panels and said side and'end flanges form alongitudinally adjustable suitcase-like enclosure, and a leg pivotallymounted on each of said subsections for movement about a leg axisbetween an extended table supporting position and a retracted positionwithin said enclosure.

6. A foldable table as set forth in claim 5, wherein each said legcomprises a base leg section pivotally mounted on a said subsection andan end leg section mounted on said base section for movement relativethereto between an extended position and a retracted position, and meansfor releasably locking said leg sections in extended position.

7. A foldable table as set forth in claim 6, wherein each said leg issubstantially shorter than a diagonal of the associated said top paneland is mounted adjacent an outside corner of a said subsection forpivotal movement in a plane diagonally disposed with respect to the toppanel of said subsection.

8. A table having a top, a leg supporting means secured to the undersideof said top, a leg pivotally mounted on said supporting means formovement from an extended table supporting position to a retractedposition, a locking member slidably mounted on said leg for movementlongitudinally of said leg, a slot in said supporting means which isaligned with said locking member when said leg is in said tablesupporting position, and spring means for moving said locking memberinto engagement with said slot when said leg s in said table supportingposition to releasably lock said leg therein.

9. A foldable table having a top comprising a pair of top sectionshinged together for relative pivotal movement about an axis from asubstantially coplanar position to a superposed closed position, aflange extending outwardly from each of said top sections, a hinge platesecured to each of said flanges, means for pivotally connecting saidhinge plates together to provide a hinge connection for said pair or"top sections, slot means in one of said hinge plates, and a lockingmember mounted on the other of said hinge plates for movement from aretracted position to a locking position in engagement with said slo-tmeans when said pair of top sections are in said extended position forreleasably locking said pair of top section's in said extended position.v

10. A foldable table as set forth in claim 9, wherein said lockingmember comprises a spring member having a detent at the outer end, saidspring member tending to force said detent toward said one of said hingeplates, and said slot means comprises an aperture in said one of saidhinge plates that is aligned with said detent when said pair of topsections arein said extended position so that said detent willautomatically releasably lock said pair of top section's in saidextended position. I

11. A f-oldable table as set forth in claim 9, wherein said slot meanscomprises a longitudinally disposed recess in said one of said hingeplates, with said locking member slidably mounted on said other of saidhinge plates for reciprocal movement from a retracted position to alocking position in engagement with said recess for'releasably lockingsaid top sections in said extended position.

- 12. A foldable table comprising a top having four parts, side flangeson each said part for slidable engagement with similar flanges on anassociated said part to provide two telescopically disposed section's,anouter end flange on each said part, hinge means interconnectingadjacent said end flanges to enable relative pivotal movement ofsaid's'ections between a coplanar position and a folded position withthe lower edges of opposite said side flanges in engagement to provide asuitcase-like enclosure therebetween, and releasable locking means forretaining said telescopically disposed section's in either one of twocoplanar positions. p 4 13. In a foldable table according to claim 12,adjustable leg means movable between a substantially vertical tablesupporting position and a folded position within References Cited in thefile of this patent the enclosure provided by said top whenthe latter isin folded position UNITED STATES PATENTS 14. In a foldable tableaccording to claim 13, mount- 973,2 0 schmidtmann 00 13, 1910 ing meanssecured to said top for pivotally supporting said 5 2 444 532 Chi k July6, 1948 leg means, and releasable latching means automatically 255 300 Gh t 1 Sept, 15, 1953 cngageable with said mounting means when said legmeans 2 653,066 A d Sept, 22, 1953 are swung to table supportingposition to retain the same therein.

